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Superintendent highlights CPR certification and suicide‑prevention efforts; board backs employee heart‑health screenings
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Summary
District leaders reported on CPR Day (expanded certifications), the Florida DOE suicide‑prevention‑certified schools designation, and the board approved exploring employee preventive heart screenings and community health partnerships during American Heart Month.
Miami‑Dade County Public Schools highlighted several health and safety initiatives at the Feb. 11 board meeting aimed at students and staff.
Superintendent remarks and a district presentation described "CPR Day Miami," an outreach event held in January that expanded options for community members to become CPR certified in adult, child and infant CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) use and the Heimlich maneuver. Dr. Linda Amica Roberts and district partners reported that certification numbers have risen year over year (the presentation cited several hundred certifications district‑wide and named partners such as FIU School of Nursing, Jackson Health, OneBlood and local first‑responder units). The district also held an accompanying health‑and‑wellness fair with biometric screenings and community partners providing services.
The board also heard that 59 district schools earned the Florida Department of Education’s suicide‑prevention certified schools designation this year; the assistant superintendent for mental health described required staff training (100% of instructional staff must complete at least two hours of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training) and new or clarified school protocols to connect vulnerable students to supports.
Separately, Board Member Alonzo introduced H7, a measure to explore employee‑focused community health fairs and partnerships with local hospitals for preventive cardiac screening during American Heart Month. A Jackson Health representative told the board the health system can support EKG screenings and logistics; the item was approved to move forward as an exploration, with staff asked to report back on implementation details.
Union leaders from United Teachers of Dade spoke during the public commentary and later thanked the district for highlighting health‑care tools and services; they also raised separate concerns about co‑location plans and contractual protections related to safety and non‑teaching duties. The board indicated staff would follow up on implementation and coordination of the health initiatives with district benefits and community partners.
Next procedural steps include staff reports on vendor logistics, dates and target participation for employee screenings, and continued coordination with community health partners and the district’s mental‑health office.
